Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them."—1 Samuel 15:2-3

The Amaleks were probably the most vicious, vile people who ever lived on the face of the earth. For the sake of humanity, God ordered the extermination of these people, and chose the children of Israel to be His instrument of judgment.

In the story of Esther, we read of Haman, the guy who plotted the destruction of the Jews. Haman was an Amalekite, a descendant of King Agag whom Saul had kept alive. God had told Saul to "utterly destroy" the Amalekites, but Saul did not obey. And because of that, Amalek came back and almost destroyed all of Israel.

The Bible says the flesh wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. Even as Amalek sought to attack Israel at their weakest place, so your flesh will be attacked at that weakest place. The battle is for supremacy.

God has determined that our flesh must be put to death.

Though we want to reform it, God says no. His edict for your flesh is utter destruction. Which will rule your life? Will you yield to the Spirit, or to the flesh? Will you enjoy fellowship with God, or will you show mercy to your flesh and thereby become a slave to its appetites, alienating yourself from God? Choose wisely.

Father, strengthen us by Your Spirit that we might live after the Spirit, walk after the Spirit, and have the mind of the Spirit, which is life and peace and joy.Amen.